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must, I
possible
mmediate response to the Governor's concerns
suggest, be to continue providing the fullest
support to the Hong Kong Government
in
its
present difficult position. We must organise a vigorous
campaign of information and counter-briefings on the
issues raised in public debate. We must demonstrate to
the Hong Kong Government, and enable them to demonstrate
to a nervous and volatile population, that we are aware
of our responsibilities towards the community; that we
are fully communicating local
anxieties
to
the
governments and enterprises concerned; and that all
possible
is being done to inform and reassure Hong Kong
people. We must also do all we can to foster a more
balanced attitude in Hong Kong to the case for nuclear
power: Peter Walker's keynote speech on the issue has
already been used there to good effect.
8.
The planned series of briefings and consultations
should help make Hong Kong people better aware of the
facts regarding reactor safety. But reactions to nuclear
power are not entirely rational, and it would be wrong to
under-estimate the depth of public feeling in the
territory. The
debate on the
Governor
adjournment.
suggested last week that the
in the Legislative Council
could well not be the end of the matter: before the LEGCO
session finished at the end of July there could be calls
for a further debate on a motion to the effect that no
nuclear plant should be built
that the Chinese Government should be asked to reconsider
So close to Hong Kong and
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